Police to guard churches on Xmas
Police to guard churches on Xmas
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Taking no chances on possible terrorist plots during the upcoming
Christmas holiday, city police will deploy 14,000 personnel to
guard churches in Jakarta on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
Newly-appointed Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Makbul
Padmanegara told the press on Friday that police personnel, both
uniformed and undercover, will be assigned to churches throughout
the city to secure Christmas celebrations on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25
when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
"Security at churches will be tight, and we will be deploying
about 30 personnel per location," said Makbul, while adding that
each church should buy metal detectors for every entrance.
On Christmas eve last year, dozens of terrorist bombs exploded
at a number of churches nationwide, killing at least 15
churchgoing civilians and seriously injuring 96 other innocent
people. In Jakarta alone, three Christians were killed in five
church blasts. None of the terrorists have been captured. It is
presumed that they are still roaming freely throughout the
country.
Some of the bombs were sent through the mail disguised as
Christmas packages, while others were planted outside the church
buildings by the suspects.
Despite the bombs last year, only a few churches in Jakarta
are taking precautionary measures as they plan to rely heavily on
police for security.
The Cathedral Church in Central Jakarta, for example, will not
alter its scheduled mass.
"We were told that police will secure the church and its
surrounding areas a few days before and after Christmas day. We
are counting on the police," said Wahidi, an official at the
Cathedral.
Last year, a bomb exploded outside the Cathedral. The bomb was
placed under a car that was parked outside the church compound.
Later police found an unexploded bomb on the west side of the
church.
Church officials at Paulus Church also said they would not
alter their schedule or change anything due to threats from those
who oppose their religion.
"We will still have the services as usual ... just like last
year," said S. Polii, an official at the church.
At the St. Anna Church in East Jakarta, however, police have
been coordinating with the church regarding security measures.
"The East Jakarta district police have held coordination
meetings with our church officials, and police will tightly
secure the area. Everybody will be checked before they enter the
church," said Ana Maria Siswoatmojo.
St Anna church was bombed last July, seriously injuring dozens
of people.
The Immanuel Church in Gambir, Central Jakarta, will also rely
on police, saying police have coordinated with church officials
in the past few days.
"Hopefully nothing will happen this year," Leo Mailopoe, an
official at Immanuel told The Jakarta Post